Research Paper Guidelines-- Please FOLLOW THIS GUIDELINE- Choose a topic that you are interested in from the list attached to the syllabus. Conduct preliminary research to see if there is sufficient information available on your topic. Become familiar with library data bases including Lexis/Nexis, First Search. Also understand the interlibrary book loan service. The library homepage has a helpful guide on how to conduct library research or you may contact one of the research librarians. Identify the main themes you will need to cover for your topic. Consider the range of issues related to your topic. Create an outline for your paper creating a section for each of the major themes and sub-themes. Be sure to include an introduction and a conclusion. Your final paper must be 12-14 pages long and utilize at least 5 books and 3 journal articles from academic journals or periodicals. You may also use on-line academic journals, but make sure that they are academic journals. You are permitted to utilize two news articles and/or one oral interview to substitute for one of the journal articles. Final Paper must include: 1. Title Paper with your name and course number: CHS 245OL. 2. Research discussed in 12-14 pages with pages numbered on bottom in center. Your research essentially provides evidence to support your thesis. You must have an introductory paragraph that includes your thesis statement. Underline your thesis statement in the paper. You must also use section headings to identify the main themes within your paper. You must also have a conclusion that brings the reader back to your thesis. 3. Use the MLA style to identify all quotes and source material. The library homepage has a link to the MLA referencing style but you will also have to refer to a MLA handbook for citations in your paper. The handbook is available in the library. 4. A bibliography listing all of your sources according to MLA citation style. You must group your sources by books, journal articles, news articles, interviews and number them so that it is clear that you used at minimum 5 books and 3 journal articles. Do not plagiarize or copy directly from your sources. If you quote material, be sure to identify the author and publication information according to MLA style. Plagiarized material will be returned and you will receive an F in the course. All papers must be 12 pt. Font, double-spaced and stapled. No folders please. Papers are due Wednesday of Week 15 and must be placed in my box in JR 148. Scoring Rubric: Introductory paragraph that explains your topic 5 pts Thesis statement underlined 10 pts. Section headings underlined 5 pts Conclusion 10 pts. Content 20 pts. Required amount of sources (5 books, 3 journal articles) 20 pts. MLA referencing in body of paper 15 pts. Bibliography in MLA referencing format 10 pts. Sources numbered and categorized in bibliography 5 pts. Total 100 pts.